"The sad news is that most of these whelks go straight into a chiller vehicle and they go off to the far east or to Europe. Not many stay in the UK and are consumed by people here. So what we are trying to do is highlight the potential of the humble whelk. It's a great source of protein."

50,000 are expected to visit the Dorset Seafood Festival.

Experts and fisherman from across the South West will be on hand to delight crowds with local produce and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs.

The champagne will also be flowing as the festival is sponsored by Pommery.

Brian Cooper says it goes to show just what Weymouth has to offer.

"Weymouth sometimes gets a pretty bad press and it doesn't deserve it. Who would have thought one of France's biggest champagne houses would be sponsoring an event in Weymouth. That didn't happen lightly. They loved Weymouth and the harbour and thought it was an incredible place - and indeed it is."